Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-08-05

of NV love for and interest in herself
We became almost inseparable in ano
out of school hours; l encouraged hel
to talk: and she soon fell into the habit
of telling ME. whether | was listening
or not. those long rambling stories
which have no beginning. no sequence
and no end. which are the sOlace OF
children who have no companions OF
their own age. And sometimes she
would say: .'Let us sing, Miss
Christie" and would sing some bal
lad while she would COO an irregular
but not inharmonious accompaniment
And we were occupied in this fashion.
sitting at the open window one after
noon, when Mr.. Rayner appeared in
the garden.
Go on, 60 on: have been listening
to the concert for ever so long. 1t is a.
pretty as birds"
But of course we could not 60 on in
the face of such a critical condition; SC
Mr. Rayner, after complaining that he
had taken a ticket for the series. told
me more seriously that had a pretty
voice, asked me why did not take
pity on their dullness and come into
the drawing-room after tea sometimes
and sing to them. He said: "Wha,
do you do every evening after slipping
off to your turret chamber"
To which replied:
IL do my tasks and read something
improving, and then sit in one of my
arm-chairs and just think and enjoy
myself"
"Well, we are not going to let yot
enjoy yourself up there while we art
moped to death downstairs; so to
night, YOU may just come and share
our dullness in the drawing-roOm."
So after tea Mr.. Rayner got out hi
violin, and sat down to the piano; ant
we played first some German populal
songs and then long succession Of tn
airs, now lively, now pathetic, nov
dramatic and passionate. out OF the oil
operas that have delighted Europe fol
years. Mr.. Rayner played with the fir
of an enthusiast, and again | caugh
the spirit of his playing, and accom-
panied him, he said, while his fac
shone with the ecstacy of the musician
as no one had ever accompanied hin
before.
When we had finished, and Mr.. Ray
ner was putting his violin into its case
he suddenly discovered that corner q
the latter was damp.
This will never do" he exclaimed
Knight as well keep it in the garde1
as in this den," he went on. quite irri
tably for him-"Here, Sarah" b
added. Take this to my room-mind
very carefully"
So his room could not be damp,
thought, or he would not allow hi
precious violin to be taken there. ha
said goodnight, and was in the hal
Just in time to see Sarah. carrying tn
violin, disappear down the passage
ON the right hand side of the staircase
When / got to the foot of my turrt
staircase, which was only few steE
; from the head of the back-staircas
that the servant used, heard Sarah
quick tread in the passage below, ant
putting down my candle on tn
> ground, I went softly to the top of tn
stairs-there was a door looked dowr
I saw Sarah. take a key from hi
pocket and unlock door near the foo
of the stairs. But, as the door weI
back on its hinges Sarah took out til
key, went through. and locked It b
hin her. I saw that it led. not into
, room at all, but into the garden
, So far, then, Mr.. Reade's guess w
right. But there still remained Il
question Where did Mr.. Rayn
!, sleep?